Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Cabinet committee on health meets monthly. There are weekly or even more frequent meetings at official level on health reform, ongoing negotiations and so on, depending on what issues arise. There is weekly contact between senior officials from my Department, not necessarily advisers, and officials from the Department of Health and Children and the Heath Service Executive. The officials always meet a week or two before a Cabinet committee on health. There is close liaison not alone on health but, in respect of health matters in particular. There is a close working relationship between the Department of Finance, the HSE, my Department and the Department of Health and Children in respect of health matters.

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